Ten TenDana leaned on the fence to the corral as she watched the horses wander about, grazing on the bits of grass that grew there. Money bulged from her pocket. Excitement filled her as she thought about the horse she would buy. Her mind raced with all of the possibilities of owning a horse and the things she would be able to do.
“Dana?”
She turned around and greeted the man that had walked up behind her.
“I am Mr. Callors, the owner of this place.”
“Pleased to meet you.” Dana shook his hand.
“So you want to buy a horse?”
“Yes. I hope to join the traders the next time they pass through here.”
“A future trader, eh? Well, you’ll need a good one. Do you know anything about horses?”
Dana shook her head.
“Well there’s time for me to teach you the basics. You’ll learn fast enough. It isn’t’ hard. Mostly, you have to feed it, give it plenty of water, exercise it, and keep the stall clean. Now I can take care of the feeding and cleaning if you wish for a fee. At least until you get more accustomed to having a horse.”
“You will?”
“Yep. I provide lodging for horses if a person has a mind to keep it in my stables. You pay monthly for the room and board. Now as for your horse.”
Mr. Callors motioned for Dana to follow him. He headed for the horses in the corral and picked up the reins of one. “This one here is Nell. She’s very mild tempered and has no trouble with the desert. Do ya, girl?”
Dana watched as Mr. Callors stroked the horse’s muzzle. The snorting of another caught her attention. A young horse trotted about, prancing back and forth with pride. He shook his mane and snorted some more. Enthralled, Dana watched the horse put on a little show for her as though he were trying to tell her what a great animal he was. He pranced some more, only stopping to paw at the ground a bit.
Dana liked him immediately. “What about that one?”
Mr. Callors looked where she pointed. “He’s only two years old. Still got a lot to learn. I only just taught him to accept a rider. Bought him off a trader recently. Haven’t even named him yet.”
The horse strutted before her, neighing merrily. Before Dana knew it, she found herself growing attached to the animal as he showed off. “His name is Poboy.”
“Poboy?”
“He looks like a Poboy,” said Dana, afraid she might have overstepped her bounds.
Mr. Callors laughed. His delighted guffaws made Dana wonder if she had done something wrong. “You went and named him.”
“What does that matter?” asked Dana.
“Once you name it, you’ll never want another. Well, Poboy it is. He’s young like you. Perhaps you can learn about the world together.
“Now, mind you, a horse is more than just an animal. Poboy will become your friend. Having a horse is a commitment. You and Poboy will be spending a lot of time together from now until you leave with the traders.”
Mr. Callors grabbed Poboy and guided him over to Dana. The horse trotted to her, head held high. Carefully, Dana took the reins. She raised her hand and slowly placed it on the horse’s muzzle. Gently, her fingers brushed the short fur. Poboy shook his head and nuzzled into her.
“He likes you all right,” laughed Mr. Callors. “Well, time to learn to ride.”
He retrieved a saddle from a hook on the wall and brought it over. Dana listened intently as he explained how to strap it onto the horse, watching all of his movements. Once done, she allowed him to help her into the saddle.
“I’ll guide him first until you get used to sitting in there.”
For the next hour, Mr. Callors walked around the corral, leading Poboy and Dana. She allowed her body motion to synchronize with the movements of the horse. After about 15 minutes, Dana had become saddle sore, but she refused to say anything.
Before they had finished, Mr. Callors handed the reins to her, explaining how to get the horse to go where she wanted him to. “Tug them the right a bit. Gentle now.”
Dana did so. Immediately, Poboy turned right.
“To the left.”
Dana gently pulled the reins to the left, amazed at how Poboy quickly switched direction.
“If you want to stop, pull back a bit.”
Dana did so. Poboy halted. He looked up at her as though he wondered why she had stopped.
“Now, gently nudge him with your heels to go forward.”
Dana bumped the animal’s side with her heels. Poboy started walking at a fast trot, pleased that she had decided to keep going.
“I think you got it,” said Mr. Callors. “Time to feed and brush him.”
Dana steered Poboy to the stables and dismounted. The horse touched her with his nose, jostling her a bit. Smiling, Dana turned around and petted him.
“I think you two will get along just fine,” said Mr. Callors, handing her a brush. “Now, you have to groom him regularly. Nice even strokes.”
Dana removed the saddle and copied his movements. Poboy neighed with delight. Though her arm tired, she enjoyed grooming her horse. Poboy had a lot of personality, something Dana enjoyed.
“You’re a fast learner,” said Mr. Callors.
Dana handed him the brush when she had finished.
“Feeding is pretty simple. All of the horse feed is in this bin. Put one scoop into the trough there. That is Poboy’s stall. The water trough is there. I use the hose to keep it filled. Rakes are over there in that closet. Use one of them when you clean out the manure. You might not have to do that too often. I usually hire someone to clean out the stalls.”
“That’s it?” asked Dana.
“Pretty much. It’s the basics. But the main thing Poboy here needs is love and care. Make sure you visit him often. Every day if you can. At least three or four times a week. Horses, like people, can get lonely. You need to visit him often and ride him often so that he remains used to your presence.
“If the stable is ever locked, there’s a key under the bucket outside. You can use that to let yourself in. Just make sure you lock up afterwards.”
“Yes, Mr. Callors.”
“Well, young lady, you got yourself a horse. I’m here most every day. The corral out there is perfect for riding. When you get more ambitious, you can take him out on the property here.”
“Thank you,” said Dana.
“Be here in the morning,” said Mr. Callors as he locked up. “We’ll have another lesson about the care of horses then.”
Dana darted off, waving good-bye. The bulging pocket reminded her that she had forgotten to pay. “Mr. Callors! We forgot to settle on a price.”
“We’ll settle tomorrow.”
Thrilled about having a horse of her own, Dana thanked him and ran off.
~ ~ ~
Steam billowed from the engines of the train as it stopped at the station by the oil field. Kenny stepped out, his black shoes reflecting the midday sun. His narrowed eyes scanned the area and the rigs that pumped oil out of the ground. He had never known this place existed, not until recently.
“Mr. Michaels?” A man in average attire approached Kenny with his hand outstretched.
“Yes,” said Kenny with an air of authority and arrogance.
“My name is Lawson. I am here to be your guide. If you need anything, let me know.”
Kenny shook the man’s outstretched hand and let it drop. “Right now, I require some rest,” Kenny eyed the arid landscape, “and some water.”
“Right away, sir.” Lawson picked up Kenny’s bags and led him away. They entered a small building with a single bed on one end and a small sink and toilet on another. “These are your accommodations, sir. I apologize for not being able to get you something better. Unfortunately, we are very cut off from civilization. But there is running water and an air conditioning unit.”
“It will do,” said Kenny as he looked around the meager room. Already, he missed the mansion his father lived on.
“I will have food brought to you right away. I know you must be tired from your long trip.”
“No,” said Kenny. “I wish to see what the trouble is with the rail line.”
“Yes, sir.”
Lawson deposited the bags on the floor. He snatched a hard hat from the table in the middle of the room and handed it to Kenny. “If you’ll follow me, sir.”
Kenny put on the hat and followed Lawson outside. They strolled past the oil rigs. Many of the workers looked up momentarily from their duties to observe him and his tailored suit. Officers quickly made them resume their work.
“These rigs, sir, are what provide for the energy in Dystopia,” said Lawson.”
“What about those wind turbines?” asked Kenny, pointing to a hill with a whole line of them.
“Mostly for show,” replied Lawson. “They provide some power, but not reliably. Besides, we need oil to keep them running; otherwise, they won’t turn on and the gears grind. The rail line in question is right here.”
Lawson stopped on a small rise. He pointed down into the valley where men with no shirts labored steadily. Sweat gleamed off their backs as they lugged railroad ties and giant spikes.
Kenny watched the proceedings dispassionately. “They appear to be making progress. What seems to be the problem?”
“The steel rails are rusted through,” said Lawson. “President Klens has refused to give us updated materials to rebuild the line, yet she expects us to deliver the resources on time.”
Kenny gave Lawson a piercing look for his crack about the president. As the man cringed underneath his gaze, he relaxed it. It’s not his fault. “Very well,” said Kenny. “Is there a phone I can use?”
“We have satellite communications in the control tower.”
“Take me to it. I will call my father and see to it that all necessary materials are sent.”
“Thank you, sir.” Lawson bowed and led Kenny to the control tower.
They hiked up the winding staircase to the box-like building at the top. Kenny stepped into the small space with giant windows for walls. The moment he stepped through the door, people looked up from their tasks. Even officers paused. A part of Kenny relished this kind of power, the power to literally stop people in their tracks.
“Patch me through to my father,” he said.
A woman punched a few keys on her keyboard before handing him a headset with a microphone.
“First Councilman here.”
“Father,” said Kenny.
“Kenny, my boy. You have a comfortable trip?”
“Yes, father, but I am calling on business,” said Kenny.
“Straight to work. Perfect.”
“We need new and updated steel rails and ties for the freight line to be properly repaired.”
“But President Klens has—”
“I am perfectly aware of her orders,” said Kenny, “but if she wishes to get the oil from here to where she is, then she must listen to reason.”
“Kenny—”
“You sent me here to repair the line and that is what I intend to do. Send me the materials I need and I will have this repaired within a month’s time.”
“That quick?”
Kenny would do it that quickly, determined as he was to not spend a minute longer in this desolate place.
“Very well, I will send you what you need.”
“And the president?”
“I will deal with her.”
“Thank you, father.” Kenny broke the connection and turned to Lawson. “The new rails and ties will be here in a couple of days. See to it that everything is prepared for laying the new line.”
“Yes, sir.” Lawson ran off.
Kenny strode from the control room. He watched as men toiled over the rigs under the lash of the officers. Still confused about why his father sent him there, he formulated a plan for how best to get the repairs on the railroad done quickly. Kenny rubbed his shoulder. Ever since he left home, it had itched every so often. Must be the dry climate, he thought.